Interlocking, interchangeable support base system

Abstract

A support system comprises a hub comprising a channel, a leg comprising a finger that slideably engages the channel, and a washer that prevents the finger from disengaging the channel, wherein a multi-dimensional force is exerted that tightens the connection therebetween when the hub, the leg, and the washer are connected together. A method of connecting a support system for an article of furniture comprises inserting a finger of a leg into a channel of a hub to form a mating connection therebetween, connecting a washer to the hub to maintain the finger within the channel, and exerting a multi-dimensional force to secure the leg to the hub.

What is claimed is: 
     
       1. A support system comprising:
 a hub comprising an axially extending channel with a key recess at a lower end thereof; 
 a leg comprising an axially extending finger that slideably engages the channel and a key recess disposed below the finger; 
 a washer that engages the hub and prevents the finger from disengaging the channel; 
 a key disposed in a keyhole formed by aligning the key recesses in the hub and the leg; and 
 a means for connecting the hub and the washer; 
 wherein when the hub and the washer are connected, a multi-dimensional force is exerted that tightens the connection between the hub and the leg. 
 
     
     
       2. The support system of  claim 1  wherein the multi-dimensional force is exerted by the key on the leg, on the hub, or on both. 
     
     
       3. The support system of  claim 1  further comprising a collar disposed on the leg and conforming to the shape of the hub to reduce the visibility of the connection between the hub and the leg, and wherein the hub further comprises a guide that aligns the at least one arm of the washer with respect to the channel. 
     
     
       4. The support system of  claim 1  wherein the finger is shaped to prevent the leg from engaging the channel in an upside-down position. 
     
     
       5. The support system of  claim 4  wherein the finger is tapered such that the cross-sectional area of the top of the finger is different than the cross-sectional area of the bottom of the finger. 
     
     
       6. The support system of  claim 5  wherein the channel is tapered to correspond with and matingly engage the tapered finger. 
     
     
       7. The support system of  claim 1  wherein the key comprises an angled surface between about 5 degrees and about 60 degrees. 
     
     
       8. A method of connecting a support system for an article of furniture comprising:
 inserting a finger of a leg into a channel of a hub to form a mating connection therebetween; 
 connecting a washer to the hub to maintain the finger within the channel; and 
 exerting a multi-dimensional force to secure the leg to the hub; wherein the washer comprises a tapered surface and the leg comprises a tapered surface, the method further comprising:
 mating the tapered surface of the washer to the tapered surface of the leg; and 
 tightening the connection between the hub and the washer, such that the washer creates the multi-dimensional force. 
 
 
     
     
       9. The method of  claim 8  wherein the tapered surface of the washer has an angle between about 30 degrees and about 45 degrees. 
     
     
       10. The method of  claim 8  further comprising inserting a bolt through the washer and the hub, thereby connecting the hub, the washer, and the leg together; wherein the bolt connects the hub to a support pole for the article of furniture. 
     
     
       11. A method of connecting a support system for an article of furniture comprising:
 inserting a finger of a leg into a channel of a hub to form a mating connection therebetween; 
 connecting a washer to the hub to maintain the finger within the channel; and 
 exerting a multi-dimensional force to secure the leg to the hub; wherein the finger of the leg comprises a key recess and the hub further comprises a key recess, such that a keyhole is formed by aligning the key recesses of the finger and the hub, the method further comprising inserting a key into the keyhole between the hub and the leg to create the multi-dimensional force. 
 
     
     
       12. The method of  claim 11  wherein connecting the washer to the hub creates an upward force on the key to create the multi-dimensional force. 
     
     
       13. The method of  claim 12  wherein the key comprises an angled surface. 
     
     
       14. The method of  claim 13  further comprising inserting a bolt through the washer and the hub, thereby connecting the hub and the washer together; wherein the bolt connects the hub to a support pole for the article of furniture. 
     
     
       15. A support system comprising:
 a hub comprising a channel; 
 a leg comprising a finger that slideably engages the channel; and 
 a washer comprising at least one arm that engages the hub and that prevents the finger from disengaging the channel; and 
 a means for connecting the hub and the washer; 
 wherein when the hub and the washer are connected, a multi-dimensional force is exerted that tightens the connection between the hub and the leg, the support system further comprising a key disposed between the hub and the leg, wherein: 
 the key comprises an angled surface; 
 the hub further comprises a key recess at a lower end thereof; 
 the leg further comprises a key recess, such that aligning the key recesses in the hub and the leg forms a keyhole for retaining the key; and 
 connecting the washer to the hub creates an upward force on the angled surface of the key, such that the key exerts the multi-dimensional force. 
 
     
     
       16. A support system comprising:
 a hub comprising a channel; 
 a leg comprising a finger that slideably engages the channel; and 
 a washer comprising at least one arm that engages the hub and that prevents the finger from disengaging the channel; and 
 a means for connecting the hub and the washer; 
 wherein when the hub and the washer are connected, a multi-dimensional force is exerted that tightens the connection between the hub and the leg; wherein the leg further comprises a pocket forming a tapered surface, the washer comprises a tapered end, and the washer mates with the pocket to create the multi-dimensional force. 
 
     
     
       17. The support system of  claim 16  wherein the pocket taper angle is between about 30 degrees and about 60 degrees. 
     
     
       18. The support system of  claim 16  wherein the hub comprises a plurality of channels and a plurality of guides arranged in alternating configuration equidistant around the perimeter of the hub, and the washer comprises a plurality of arms that engage the hub, such that the washer is shaped to conform to the lower surface of the hub.